Each state varies slightly in the procedures used to gain access to public documents. This article serves to describe specifically the steps used in Tennessee. To read the history and details of Tennessee’s sunshine laws please see Tennessee Open Records Act

How to request public records in Tennessee

Records requests should be directed to the individual in each office who is designated as the official records custodian.

Purpose and use

The law does not require a statement of purpose or restrict the use of records once the documents have been received.

Who may request public records?

The law states that any citizen of Tennessee may request public records there. Public documents shall "be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee."[1] However, recent federal court rulings have overturned similar state specific statutes and opened up records in these states to all United States citizens. To read more, please see: Lee v. Minner.